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Tampa and Sarasota, 60 miles apart on Florida's west coast, don't offer quite the same snorkeling opportunities as you'd find on the state's east coast or in the Keys down south. What the area lacks in brightly colored reefs, it makes up for with sights such as manatees and sea turtles. Explore the Tampa Bay area and the Gulf of Mexico either on your own or with a guide.

In Sarasota

Bring your snorkel gear to Siesta Key, an island off the southern end of Sarasota. The key has three beaches, all of which you can snorkel, but according to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Crescent Beach offers some of the best snorkeling. It's the middle beach on the key, and at its southern end, you'll find an area known as Point of Rocks. This spot has coral rock formations and abundant sea life. If your comfortable moving away from the safety of the shore, head north of downtown Sarasota to Bradenton Beach. Swim about 75 feet into the Gulf and look for some of the remains of the ship "Regina," which wrecked in 1940. The water is only 12 to 20 feet deep here, so if conditions are right, you should be able to see the remains from just under the water's surface.

Tampa Area

Tampa sits on a bay, tucked in from the Gulf of Mexico. Boats churn up the water and snorkeling opportunities aren't plentiful here, so you'll need access to transportation to get out to the shores of the Gulf. Cross the West Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater Beach, where you can snorkel just off the beach. More adventurous snorkelers can take a ferry, operated by a few companies such as Hubbard's Marina (hubbardsmarina.com), to the island of Egmont Key (floridastateparks.org). Snorkel off of this state park's beach. It sits a few miles out from shore, and in addition to the fish you'll spot in the waters, you might also see dolphins.

Guided Tours

If you're not familiar with the area, a local guide can help you find the best snorkeling spots. Consider companies such as Island Boat Adventures (islandboatadventures.com), based off of the southern tip of St. Petersburg, or about a 27-mile drive from downtown Tampa. This company operates daily five-hour boat tours to Egmont Bay. All snorkeling gear is included in the price, which costs $37 for an adult and $25 for a child at the time of publication. In Sarasota, Blue Water Explorers (bluewaterexplorers.com) operates snorkeling trips.

Snorkeling Safety

Whether you're in two feet of water off a crowded beach or miles out in the sea, practice snorkeling safety at all times. Wear a life vest, which will not only keep you afloat during emergencies but also will conserve your energy by removing the need to constantly tread water. Bring your head out of the water once a minute so you can be sure you're not drifting away from shore or in the path of any boats. Only snorkel on non-windy days, because these gusts can carry you further out to sea than you wish. Always snorkel with a buddy and drink plenty of water when you're back on dry land.

Resources

About the Author

Kathryn Walsh started writing in 2005. Her work has appeared in "The Syracuse Post-Standard" and on various websites. She has over 15 years of experience working with children, two as a preschool teacher. Walsh received a dual Master of Arts in journalism and television and film from Syracuse University. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Rochester.

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